Dear Susanna,
I am so grateful to be able to do a few things with family and friends this year after a very lonely holiday last year with covid. There are lots of options out there to choose from, but I really want some more Christ centered celebrations. Any suggestions?
Carol Christy

Dear Carol,
I am with you! I am so looking forward to celebrating the holidays with others this year. At the top of the list would be the Christmas Eve service at 7:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve at the Yorktown Methodist Church. That is always a special time for our families and friends. There is also a new version of The Chosen that is appearing in theaters this year. Get together with some friends and enjoy the evening watching The Chosen. The early reviews are great! And of course, you could go Christmas caroling. Seriously!!! Post something on your neighborhood or community group and go make somebody"s day. Keeping Christ in the holiday and in our lives every day is what being a Christian is all about.
Love & Prayers,
Susanna

Dear Susanna,
I was so excited to hear that they already have collected enough money to cover the new cushions for the pews. I can't wait to see them. I had a little extra I was planning to donate to that cause, is there somewhere else at church that needs our help?
Grace Grateful

Dear Grateful,
We do have a few extra December opportunities to give that you might want to consider. We do a special love offering every year at Christmas for our staff; Pastor Kate, Chikao Sloan, Morgan Pay Staley, and Jim White. The December communion offering is designated for UMCOR which helps to provide assistance for emergencies and disasters throughout the world. 100% of the money given to UMCOR goes directly to the need. The global UMC takes care of all the related administrative expenses. Just simply make the notes of Staff Christmas and/or UMCOR on your offering envelope. Thanks for thinking of your church.
Love & Prayers, Susanna

Dear Susanna,
Woo!!! Hoo!!! I just saw that the Christmas Tea is back on for December 12 at 2:00 p.m. this year. I have only been a few times, but it is definitely a favorite of mine. Singing Christmas Carols with the other ladies really warms my heart, and the treats and tea are so delicious. Do they need any help?
Terry Teacup

Dear Teacup,
We are so glad to hear that the Christmas Tea is back on the calendar, too. The Lydia Circle has not been able to meet the past year and a half, but they are the organizing force. They could use some assistance with cookies. Contact Barb Baker or sign up on the sheet in the narthex. We will need to keep an eye on the covid updates though, because an upward trend could cancel this event. Prayers for declining covid cases for so many reasons!
Love & Prayers,
Susanna

"Dear Susanna" is a feature of the YUMC monthly newsletter. Susanna Wesley never preached a sermon, published a book, or founded a church, yet Susanna Wesley is known as the Mother of Methodism. The example of faith and religious reverence she set for her children John and Charles inspired them to become powerful spiritual leaders, and to launch the Methodist movement.
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